avian & livestock assay data sheet
Candida albicans
Test code:
F0002 -
Ultrasensitive qualitative
detection of Candida
albicans by real time polymerase chain reaction
Candidiasis,
also known as monoliasis, is caused by a common yeast-like
organism belonging to the Candida genus. When the infection
occurs in the oral cavity, it is often called oral thrush. In
severe cases, the infection can result in crop necrosis. Among
the Candida genus, Candida albicans is the most commonly
encountered species.
In birds,
the disease is believed by some to be caused by overgrowth of
the low numbers of Candida that are found as part of the normal
flora. The infection may be primary or secondary to other
systemic or oropharyngeal diseases. Vitamin A deficiency or
prolonged antibiotic therapy, especially in young birds,
predisposes birds to such infection. Others believe the sole
source of infection is through eating foods contaminated by the
yeast. While common in birds, candidiasis also affects some
animals, including humans. From the limited number of
correlation studies performed, it does appear that there is a
correlation between an increased incidence of candidiasis and
warm conditions, i.e. summer months.
Regurgitation, anorexia, and delayed crop emptying may result
from infection of a bird’s crop with C. albicans,. Some birds
develop a swollen, mucus-filled crop. White plaques may be
present in the mouth if oral Candida is present. The symptoms
must be differentiated from vitamin A deficiency, pox, and
trichomonas infection in order to administer appropriate
treatment. Feather problems around the crop due to irritation
and beak abnormalities can result from chronic infection.
Since many
birds have been previously exposed to this yeast, serological
testing is not useful or reliable. Culture identification is
labor intensive and cultures are often contaminated with other
fungi. Molecular detection by PCR can provide quick, sensitive
and specific detection of the fungus in a variety of specimen
types.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Candida
infection.
-
Help ensure that flocks are free of this yeast
-
Early prevention of spread of this yeast
-
Minimize personnel exposure to this yeast
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines
that derive from birds
Specimen requirements:
Throat swab, or cloacal swab.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all
specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during
very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are
specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain
frozen in transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
Turnaround time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected